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MEMBERHANDBOOK2024-2025FLORIDA DECA

MESSAGEWELCOMEWelcome to the new year in Florida DECA, and a warm welcome to all our new chapteradvisors!I hope you had a restful summer and are as excited as we are to kick off the year with FloridaDECA. Last year we reached new heights with over 13,000 members and just over 2,400attendees at the Florida DECA Career Development Conference (FLCDC) and nearly 800members at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).Key Updates:DECA Box and Resources:You should have received or will be receiving your DECA box soon. Inside, you'll find:The DECA Guide (also available online).Posters for your classroom.Stickers for students, administrators, and faculty.If you haven’t received your box yet, please email DECA at membership@deca.org.DECA+ Access:DECA+ will be available once DECA reopens the system and issues new passwords. Weappreciate the Board of Advisors for prioritizing this resource for our members.Save the Date & Workshops:Save the Date information is available. We will also continue offering new advisorworkshops via Zoom, open to all.ENVISION:The fall conference has been rebranded!Our officers are preparing an exciting ENVISION conference with a fantastic program tohelp your students Be the ONE. Stay tuned for registration details.Fall Virtual Mini-Competition:We will host a virtual “mini-competition” in the fall, where students can practice roleplays and receive feedback. More details will be provided soon.ICDC in Orlando:We will be hosting the 2025 International Career Development Conference in Orlando.Florida DECA has been assigned to the brand new Universal Terra Luna Hotel (opening inFebruary 2025).Best of luck as you start this year! Please feel free to reach out with any questions.Warm regards,Jamie BenedictFlorida DECA

TABLE OF CONTENTSOur HistoryGuiding PrinciplesOfficer TeamMembership InformationNew ChaptersCalling Florida ForwardHelping HandsConferences and EventsChapter Business PlanPersonal Business PlanDECA Inc Chapter CampaignsCompetitive Events Career Development Conference Information100 ClubProfessional Awards ScholarshipsDress CodeCode of ConductBranding NoticeGlossary56789101112141516172021222324252627

FL DECA’SHISTORYIn 1957 the Florida association received a charter from DECA Inc.Today, Florida DECA has over 100 chapters and a membership ofover 13,000 students, advisors, alumni, and professional members.Florida DECA is led by our Executive Director, Jamie Benedict. Hecalls upon a Leadership Team and student officers to assist in varioustasks to serve the membership. Governance is handled by the Boardof Advisors and officers of the corporation.DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers inmarketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools andcolleges around the globe.5

DECA COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING PLANINTEGRATES INTO CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONAn integral component of classroom instruction, DECA activities provide authentic,experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers.APPLIES LEARNING DECA members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project-basedactivities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes. CONNECTS TO BUSINESS Partnerships with businesses at local and broader levels provide DECA membersrealistic insight into industry and promote meaningful, relevant learning. PROMOTES COMPETITIONAs in the global economy, a spark of competition drives DECA members to exceland improve their performance.DECA PREPARES THE NEXT GENERATION TO BE...ACADEMICALLY PREPARED DECA members are ambitious, high-achieving leaders equipped to conquer thechallenges of their aspirations. COMMUNITY ORIENTED Recognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECAmembers continually impact and improve their local and broader communities. PROFESSIONALLY RESPONSIBLE DECA members are poised professionals with ethics, integrity and high standards. EXPERIENCED LEADERS DECA members are empowered through experience to provide effectiveleadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation.GUIDINGPRINCIPLES6

Jaite HowellVice PresidentFL DECA OFFICER TEAMPaulina Selicorni Alan MartinExecutive President Executive Vice PresidentEveanna LevyVice PresidentEliana CohnAlexa Schmerr Adriana GutuVice PresidentVice President Vice President7Likith TipirneniVice PresidentAssisting District 2Adeola AdeyemoVice PresidentJaya ParsaVice PresidentAssisting District 3 Assisting District 4Assisting District 6 Assisting District 7Assisting District 8Assisting District 10Assisting District 9

MEMBERSHIPINFORMATIONDUESRequiredstudentminimum: $14 ($8 DECA Inc.and $6 FLDECA) Advisors, don’t forget to register your chaptermembers in time!*If you run into challenges with the registrationsystem or have a question do not hesitate toreach out to jbenedict@fldeca.org.JOIN TEAM68!STUDENTSCurrent Students in grades 9-12Participate in CTE CoursesADVISORSCertified Business/MarketingTeacher Grades 9-12Must have at least 10 StudentMembersALUMNI Former DECA Member that:Recently Graduated High School orCurrently Enrolled in College orRecent College GraduatePROFESSIONALSActively Engaged in IndustryEmployee or Self-EmployedManager, Executive Entrepreneur orParent, Family, Supporter8Requiredalumni/professionalminimum: $1o ($8 DECA Inc. and$3 FL DECA) (Contact district advisor fordistrict dues)

To be recognized as part of Florida DECA, you must be a registeredchapter with DECA Inc. The staff at DECA Inc. will work with our FloridaDECA Executive Director to approve your request to establish a chapter. DECA is a tremendous benefit for all students, teachers, schools, and ourcommunity. DECA is aligned to Career and Technical Education goals tohelp support your program and curriculum.It is preferred that your chapter serve as a co-curricular studentorganization. This means that you have a course or program of study thatis related to the focus of DECA. Students in your school would be a part ofa DECA related course or program of study and then have the option tojoin DECA at your chapter. Other chapters do not have a class andestablish their chapter as an extra-curricular after school activity. Our focus is to educate the whole student so we value the co-curricularmodel.NEWCHAPTERSFlorida DECA DistrictsSTART YOUR DECACHAPTER NOW!9

Calling Florida Forward (CFF) is a monthly virtual zoom call.These calls serve as Florida DECA’s main method tocommunicate current initiatives and events. Additionally, thisyear we will introduce a series called the Career ConnectionsSeries featuring industry professionals and relevant themes.We hope to give you the resources that will help you Be TheOne! We hold all CFF Calls at 7pm (the dates are listed below andwe’ve included a QR code that takes you directly to the call).All you need to participate in the CFF Calls is a stronginternet connection, a quiet space, and the desire to bringFlorida Forward!AUGUST 21CALLING FLORIDAFORWARDJOIN ZOOM CALL HERE20NOVEMBER

HELPINGHANDSHelping Hands was started to create an impact in ourcommunities all over Florida. We have two communityimprovement events every year: one in the fall and one inthe spring. For this year’s fall Helping Hands, each district will have theirown charity initiative focused on their local communitiesneeds! Make sure to reach out to your distrcit VP for moreinformation. For the spring, we will be offering a helpinghand to Habitat for Humanity at CDC!We encourage all chapters to participate in Helping Handsbecause together we can lend an impactful Helping Hand!FIND THIS YEAR’SEVENTS AND MOREINFORMATION HERE!11

MAINEnvision Fall ConferenceNovember 1-3 2024 Tampa, FLUltimate DECA Power TripNovember 15-17 2024 Charlotte, NCSports and Entertainment Marketing Conference January 29-February 2 2025 Orlando, FLFlorida DECA Career Development ConferenceMarch 6-9 2025 Orlando, FLInternational Career Development ConferenceApril 26-29, 2025 Orlando, FLEVENTS12

SAVE THE DATEJuly 12-14 AugustAugust September 6-7 September 18 SeptemberOctober October 25-27 November November 15 November 15-17 January 1 January 8 January January 29-February 2 January 31 February 10-21February March 6-9 March 14 MarchAprilApril 26-29 National ELS (Nashville, TN)Welcome BackNew Advisor OrientationBoard of Advisors Meeting OrlandoENVISION Registration and Housing DueNew Advisor OrientationNew Advisor OrientationENVISION (Tampa, FL) (Cap of 400 students)New Advisor OrientationInitial Roster Due to DECA, Inc.DECA's Ultimate Power Trip (Charlotte, NC)Written Events DueWritten Event JudgingNew Advisor OrientationDECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference(Orlando, FL)Florida CDC Registration and Housing DueOnline Testing Window open for CDCNew Advisor OrientationFlorida CDC-Hilton Lake Buena VistaICDC Registration and Housing Due (Determined by DECAInc.)New Advisor OrientationNew Advisor OrientationInternational Career Development Conference (Orlando,FL)13

CHAPTER BUSINESS PLAN14SCAN TO ACCESS

PERSONAL BUSINESS PLAN15SCAN TO ACCESS

DECA INC.CHAPTER CAMPAIGNSCommunity Service CampaignDECA members are always findingunique ways to serve their community.Get recognized for your efforts throughthis campaign. It’s easy. Simplydocument one or more communityservice activities, be sure to have atleast 75% of your members involved,and create at least one form ofpublicity or promotion.Promotional CampaignThis campaign provides chaptermembers an opportunity to share withtheir school and community whatDECA is all about and how theirchapter is making a positive impact onits members and community. Conductthree school outreach activities, threecommunity outreach activities andshare three alumni success stories tocomplete this campaignAdvocacy CampaignThis campaign takes place in February, during Career and TechnicalEducation Month®. Completing three school outreach activities, threepublic policymaker outreach activities and three community outreachactivities will get your chapter recognized for this campaign. And yourcommunity will definitely know you are advocates of DECA and Careerand Technical Education!Membership CampaignDesigned to make your chapter growby retaining and engaging yourmembership. Earn Achievement Levelor THRIVE Level by meeting the goalsof 20 students (increase from lastyear), alumni, and/or professionalmembers. This will automatically berecognized by DECA, Inc. You onlyneed to submit your roster and payyour dues. No additional information isrequired for submission.Ethical Leadership CampaignEducate your local school andcommunity about the importance ofethics. To earn recognition, submitthree Ethical Leadership Challengeentries, conduct three school outreachactivities and three communityoutreach activities.Due December 2, 2024Due March 3, 202516

COMPETITIVEEVENTSPRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENTAND ADMINISTRATION (PBM)Exam: Business Administration CorePRINCIPLES OF FINANCE (PFN) Exam: Business Administration CorePRINCIPLES OF HOSPITALITY ANDTOURISM (PHT)Exam: Business Administration CorePRINCIPLES OF MARKETING (PMK) Exam: Business Administration CorePRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION EVENTS(Participants must be in their first year on a DECA roster to compete in principles)1 PARTICIPANT PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES PRESENTATION TIME: 10 MINUTESACCOUNTING APPLICATIONS (ACT)Exam: Finance ClusterAPPAREL & ACCESSORIES MARKETING(AAM) Exam: Marketing ClusterAUTOMOTIVE SERVICES MARKETING(AMS) Exam: Marketing ClusterBUSINESS FINANCE (BFS) Exam: Finance ClusterBUSINESS SERVICES MARKETING (BSM) Exam: Marketing ClusterENTREPRENEURSHIP (ENT) Exam: Entrepreneurship ClusterFOOD MARKETING (FMS) Exam: Marketing ClusterHOTEL & LODGING MANAGEMENT (HLM)Exam: Hospitality and Tourism ClusterHUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT(HRM) Exam: Business Management &Administration ClusterMARKETING COMMUNICATIONS (MCS) Exam: Marketing ClusterQUICK SERVE RESTAURANTMANAGEMENT (QSRM)Exam: Hospitality and Tourism ClusterRESTAURANT AND FOOD SERVICEMANAGEMENT (RFSM)Exam: Hospitality and Tourism ClusterRETAIL MERCHANDISING (RMS) Exam: Marketing ClusterSPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENTMARKETING (SEM)Exam: Marketing ClusterSERIES EVENTS1 PARTICIPANT PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES PRESENTATION TIME: 10 MINUTESPERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY (PFL) Exam: Finance ClusterPERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY1 PARTICIPANT PRESENTATION TIME: 15 MINUTES17Career ClusterFinance ClusterHospitality and TourismClusterEntrepreneurship ClusterMarketing ClusterBusiness Management &Administration Cluster

COMPETITIVEEVENTSINTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN -EVENT (IMCE)Exam: Marketing ClusterINTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN -PRODUCT (IMCP)Exam: Marketing ClusterINTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN -SERVICE (IMCS)Exam: Marketing ClusterINTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN1-3 PARTICIPANTS PRESENTATION TIME: 10 MINUTES WRITTEN ENTRY LENGTH: 10 PGSFINANCIAL CONSULTING (FCE) Exam: Finance ClusterHOSPITALITY AND TOURISMPROFESSIONAL SELLING (HTPS)Exam: Hospitality ClusterPROFESSIONAL SELLING EVENT (PSE) Exam: Marketing ClusterPROFESSIONAL SELLING EVENTS1 PARTICIPANT PRESENTATION TIME: 15 MINUTESENTREPRENEURSHIP EVENTS1-3 PARTICIPANTS PRESENTATION TIME: 15 MINUTES WRITTEN ENTRY LENGTH: 20 PGSENTREPRENEURSHIP INDEPENDENTBUSINESS PLAN (EIB)ENTREPRENEURSHIP FRANCHISEBUSINESS PLAN (EFB)ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUSINESSGROWTH PLAN (EBG)INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PLAN (IBP)1-3 PARTICIPANTS PRESENTATION TIME: 15 MINUTES WRITTEN ENTRY LENGTH: 10 PGSENTREPRENEURSHIP INNOVATION PLAN(EIP)ENTREPRENEURSHIP START-UPBUSINESS PLAN (ESB)18BUSINESS SERVICES OPERATIONSRESEARCH (BOR)BUYING AND MERCHANDISINGOPERATIONS RESEARCH (BMOR)FINANCE OPERATIONS RESEARCH (FOR)HOSPITALITY AND TOURISMOPERATIONS RESEARCH (HTOR)SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENTMARKETING OPERATIONS RESEARCH(SEOR)BUSINESS OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENTS1-3 PARTICIPANTS PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES WRITTEN ENTRY LENGTH: 20 PGS

COMPETITIVEEVENTSBUSINESS LAW AND ETHICS TEAMDECISION MAKING (BLTDM)Exam: Business Management andAdministration ClusterBUYING AND MERCHANDISING TEAMDECISION MAKING (BTDM)Exam: Marketing ClusterENTREPRENEURSHIP TEAM DECISIONMAKING (ETDM)Exam: Entrepreneurship ClusterFINANCIAL SERVICES TEAM DECISIONMAKING (FTDM)Exam: Finance ClusterHOSPITALITY SERVICES TEAMDECISION MAKING (HTDM)Exam: Hospitality and Tourism ClusterMARKETING MANAGEMENT TEAMDECISION MAKING (MTDM)Exam: Marketing ClusterSPORTS & ENTERTAINMENTMARKETING TEAM DECISION MAKING(STDM)Exam: Marketing ClusterTRAVEL AND TOURISM TEAM DECISIONMAKING (TTDM)Exam: Hospitality and Tourism ClusterTEAM DECISION MAKING EVENTS2 PARTICIPANTS PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES PRESENTATION TIME: 15 MINUTESBUSINESS SERVICES OPERATIONSRESEARCH (BOR)BUYING AND MERCHANDISINGOPERATIONS RESEARCH (BMOR)FINANCE OPERATIONS RESEARCH (FOR)HOSPITALITY AND TOURISMOPERATIONS RESEARCH (HTOR)SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENTMARKETING OPERATIONS RESEARCH(SEOR)BUSINESS OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENTS1-3 PARTICIPANTS PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES WRITTEN ENTRY LENGTH: 20 PGSBUSINESS SOLUTIONS PROJECT (PMBS) CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT(PMCD) COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROJECT(PMCA) COMMUNITY GIVING PROJECT (PMCG)COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROJECT(PMCA) FINANCIAL LITERACY PROJECT (PMFL) SALES PROJECT (PMSP)PROJECT MANAGEMENT EVENTS1-3 PARTICIPANTS PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES WRITTEN ENTRY LENGTH: 20 PGS19DECA+ is available forall FL DECA chaptersChapters will receive their code once they provide FL DECAtheir registration informationhttps://www.decaplus.org/

CAREER DEVELOPMENTCONFERENCEThe Florida Career Development Conference (CDC) is the biggestFlorida DECA event of the year!Over 2,000 members come to Orlando every year to compete inevents in marketing, business, entrepreneurship, hospitality andmanagement and strive to win Florida DECA glass!Florida’s 65th CDC is going to be between March 6th through 9th, 2025atHilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista1751 Hotel Plaza BlvdLake Buena Vista, FL 32830(407) 827-400020

The Florida DECA 100 Club was established to honorthose chapters who have excelled over the years incompetition. When a chapter reaches a total of 100Florida DECA Conference winners and finalists for ICDC,they are honored with an award signifying that theyhave met this criteria.Chapters are recognized for each series of 100 CDCwinners.100 CLUB900 WinnersCooper City Spanish River 600 WinnersStoneman Douglas 500 WinnersCypress Bay300 WinnersSouth Plantation WellingtonBuchholz200 WinnersJupiter JP TaravellaCoral Glades100 WinnersPalm Beach Gardens EdgewaterFt. MyersPiper Astronaut ChamberlainPlantation RutherfordMosleyDr. Phillips Lyman FlanaganEast Ridge21

PROFESSIONALAWARDSMerit Award Awarded to government officials, and school administrators, andother individuals who have contributed significantly to thesuccess of DECA at the state level, or to organization orcompanies whose assistance has been notable with FloridaDECAOutstanding ServicesAwarded to DECA advisors and teachers who have renderedoutstanding work for the chartered association for more thanfive yearsHall of FameAwarded to past or present DECA advisors and teachers orDepartment of Education personnel who have contributedsignificantly to the success of Florida DECA at the local andchartered association level.Dare to AchievePresented by the Florida DECA board of advisors to a current orpast board member who has, over the years, accepted thechallenges and dared to inspire the very best in the people theyhave served.Honorary Life Member Highest award that can be bestowed upon an individual22

ALL FLORIDA DECA MEMBERS CAN APPLYGet More Info Here! Applications are due no later than February 7th 2025The Florida DECA scholarship program, coined "Dollars for Diamonds"provides graduating student members with $500 scholarships honoringcurrent or past FL DECA Executive Directors, leaders, as well as fourmembers from Marjory Stoneman Douglas who lost their lives. Thescholarship program for Florida DECA is called Dollars for Diamonds.Annually, one dollar of your chartered association dues is added to fundscholarships. Also, chapters from across the state and corporatesponsors donate to the scholarship fund. 23Florida DECA awards over 12 types of scholarshipsevery year! Additionally, DECA Inc. awards over $200,000 inscolarships.SCHOLARSHIPS

DRESS CODEDRESS CODE BY EVENTOPENING SESSIONS - All members attending Opening Session at any conference arerecommended to follow Florida DECA’s Official Dress Code. Students receiving an awardor recognition on stage are required to be in Florida DECA’s Official Dress Code. Theminimum attire expectation for all attendees is business casual. COMPETITIVE EVENT AREAS All members are required to be in Florida DECA’s OfficialDress Code. ELECTION SESSIONS Voting delegates are required to be in Florida DECA’s OfficialDress Code. AWARDS SESSIONS All members are required to be in Florida DECA’s Official DressCode. If you are out of dress code, you will not be allowed on stage. 24

CODE OF CONDUCT25SCAN TO ACCESS

Our logo is the intellectual property of the entire DECA community. Only officiallyrecognized members, chapters, and associations should be able to identifythemselves as DECA by using our logo. Private companies should not be able toprofit from the sale of items with DECA’s logo. Individuals and/or groups should notbe permitted to use the DECA logo to promote unauthorized programs, projects, andproducts.Acceptable Use PolicyChartered associations and DECA chapters are permitted to use the trademarkedofficial DECA logo and the DECA name on printed materials and websites providedthey follow the guidelines for reproducing the logo. In order to use the DECA logosand the DECA name on promotional materials such as accessories or clothing, priorpermission must be obtained from DECA Inc. Please contact shopdeca@deca.org. For clarification of the guidelines for reproducing the DECA logo, contact:communications@deca.orgPersonalized Chapter LogosIf your chapter needs a personalized logo for use on printed materials and yourwebsite, contact communications@deca.org. DECA Inc. will create art that can beused both for print and on the web.BRANDINGNOTICE26

GLOSSARYChapter Business Plan (CBP)Allows chapters to grow professionally and receive recognition at the statelevel.Personal Business Plan (PBP)Allows individuals to grow professionally and receive recognition at thestate level.ENVISIONFlorida DECA’s fall conference; Series of educational programs to empowerthem to lead the upcoming year.Career Development Conference (CDC) Florida DECA’s spring conference and state competition.Helping HandsOpportunities in which Florida DECA can contribute to the betterment of ourcommunity.ThriveA level of the DECA Inc. chapter campaigns, Thrive completion andsubmission will result in additional Thrive academy spots at ICDC.27

FLORIDADECAwww.fldeca.org@floridadeca Florida DECA @fl.deca